Major US stocks rose moderately after US President Donald Trump announced that he would meet with Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Liu HE on Friday, which gives hope that the world's largest economies will be able to make progress in trade negotiations.

Trump wrote on Twitter: “This is a big day of negotiations with China. They want to make a deal, but do I want to? Tomorrow I will meet with the Deputy Prime Minister at the White House. ” Recall, earlier today, the Chinese newspaper South China Morning Post reported that the Chinese delegation, headed by Liu He, plans to leave Washington on Thursday.

In addition, Liu He said that Beijing is ready to conclude an agreement with Washington to prevent further escalation of the trade war. According to him, the Chinese side arrived with great sincerity and they are ready to cooperate with the United States on trade balance, market access and investor protection.

Market participants also analyzed inflation data for September, which showed that consumer prices in the United States remained virtually unchanged last month, as higher housing and food prices were offset by lower prices for energy and used cars and trucks. According to a report by the Ministry of Labor, the consumer price index did not change in September after rising 0.1% in August. Economists had expected another 0.1% increase. Over the 12 months to September, the consumer price index rose 1.7% after rising by the same margin in August. Economists surveyed by the agency predicted an increase in consumer price index in September of 1.8% year on year. At the same time, excluding food and energy prices, basic consumer prices rose 0.1% in September after rising 0.3% for three consecutive months . Economists had expected base prices to rise 0.2%. In the 12 months to September, the base consumer price index rose 2.4%, which corresponds to an increase in August. The fact that consumer prices in the US did not change in September, and core inflation receded slightly, is fueling expectations that the Fed will lower interest rates in October for the third time this year amid risks to the economy as a result of trade tensions.

Most DOW components recorded an increase (23 out of 30). The biggest gainers were Caterpillar Inc. (CAT; + 2.80%). Outsiders were shares of Cisco Systems (CSCO; -1.42%).

Almost all S&P sectors completed trading in positive territory. Only the utilities sector declined (-0.1%). The largest growth was shown in the base materials sector (+ 1.3%).

At the time of closing:

Dow 26,496.67 +150.66 +0.57%

S&P 500 2,938.13 +18.73 +0.64%

Nasdaq 100 7,950.78 +47.04 +0.60%

U.S. stock-index futures traded little changed on Thursday, as investors closely monitor the developments of high-level trade talks between the United States and China.

Global Stocks:

(company / ticker / price / change ($/%) / volume)

Uber (UBER) target lowered to $50 from $52 at Needham

Cisco Systems (CSCO) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Goldman; target lowered to $48

HP (HPQ) downgraded to Sell from Neutral at Goldman; target lowered to $14

UnitedHealth (UNH) downgraded to Hold from Buy at Jefferies; target lowered to $235

Apple (AAPL) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Longbow; target $260